RandyA Posted May 22, 2018 Report Share Posted May 22, 2018 After gratefully receiving all the parts, pieces and transportation to the ECR from some fellow HDT'ers the task of assembling the hitch, skinning back the wood-framed aluminum bed on our Volvo, removing the old Reese hitch, opening up the hitch access hole to expose the frame, drilling 5/8" bolt holes and putting the bed back together I am happy to share that the TSLB install is complete. What I thought would take a "few" days turned into two weeks. But, my work days were short - not more than 5 hours and all the heavy lifting was done with my 1955 Ferguson 35 and front loader. I have a lower back "problem" and when I started hurting I quit working and took a nap. Old folks can get away with doing that 😀. The 1/2" plate I had was about 3" too short to span across the frame to the OEM hitch mounting angle iron holes. Fortunately, he-who-never-throws-anything-away still had the original hitch mounting frame buried under a rotting pile of leaves in a remote scrap metal pile on the "back forty". I welded and bolted the 1/2" plate to this frame making a perfect mount. I don't have a mag drill so the 5/8" holes were drilled with a B&D 1/2" corded drill. I was turned over and under several times 🤸♂️ doing this when the drill bit would catch near the bottom of the hole. That part of the job hurt 😰 The loader on the tractor was used to lift the assembly and gently place it into the opening on the Volvo. Once the assembly was bolted to the OEM outside frame mounted angle iron rail the pressure treated wood framing and aluminum decking/trim were reconfigured and closed in. BTW - use of stainless steel hardware is a must in PT lumber. Larger bolts through the 4x4 members are galvanized. Aluminum to aluminum fasteners are either 3/16" or 1/4" aluminum pop rivets. Finished height is 52" from the pavement to the top of the hitch head. Perfect for the pin box on our recently acquired Keystone Cambridge. This assembly is not something I would want to do a second time - especially by myself. But, if you are on a limited budget and own a HDT it is what you do. Thank goodness for front loaders and great friends in the HDT community. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERO Maker Posted May 22, 2018 Report Share Posted May 22, 2018 Way to go Randy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hewhoknowslittle Posted May 22, 2018 Report Share Posted May 22, 2018 Glad you got it installed. Great job ! Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sculptor Posted May 22, 2018 Report Share Posted May 22, 2018 Great write up, Thanks Randy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sclord2002 Posted May 22, 2018 Report Share Posted May 22, 2018 Randy, that looks great. Glad you got the hitch project completed. Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adept99 Posted May 22, 2018 Report Share Posted May 22, 2018 Where do you plug it in? Or is that one 12 vdc?? (Well done Randy) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dblr Posted May 22, 2018 Report Share Posted May 22, 2018 Randy looks great.to bad I didn't know you could have used some help, I am less then 5 hours from you and would have come down to help.....If anything with the heavy stuff and would have considered it as a Learning Expierence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted May 22, 2018 Report Share Posted May 22, 2018 Another enjoyable tutorial. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaHybrid Posted May 22, 2018 Report Share Posted May 22, 2018 Looks great Randy, a very clean install when done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkoenig24 Posted May 22, 2018 Report Share Posted May 22, 2018 Well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoDirectionHome Posted May 22, 2018 Report Share Posted May 22, 2018 Super clean looking install. And I thought you were only an electrical wiz! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big5er Posted May 22, 2018 Report Share Posted May 22, 2018 Looks SWEET Randy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr. cob Posted May 22, 2018 Report Share Posted May 22, 2018 Howdy Randy, Glad to hear your back up and running again, looks like you did a great job on the hitch install, having that tractor sure came in handy. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPL Posted May 25, 2018 Report Share Posted May 25, 2018 Great job Randy! If I had known I could have gotten you a mag based drill so next time it will save that wrap around! I left this afternoon for the Pottery camp ground but had a spring hanger break both welds and i sat on 664/64 until a service truck got there and made a temp weld repair and then I slowly towed back to the house. This will be the 1st Memorial Day weekend that we haven't spent at a CG somewhere. Oh well. Now to get it fixed. That will start tomorrow or Tuesday. The good news is it could have been MUCH worse! So for now you take care and will see you on the road some time. Pat The Old Sailor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyA Posted May 25, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2018 1 hour ago, JPL said: I left this afternoon for the Pottery camp ground but had a spring hanger break both welds and i sat on 664/64 until a service truck got there and made a temp weld repair and then I slowly towed back to the house. The Old Sailor 2 Been there, done that - 5 times. It is called Lippert Frame Incompetence. Too small of a hanger, welding is done by non-professionals. Two times on the 2005 Prowler TT. Three times on the CC not counting the pin box. We need to talk sometime about adding cross frame bracing and supports for the hangers to your trailer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPL Posted May 25, 2018 Report Share Posted May 25, 2018 Randy Will do!!! I don't know how long I'll be without. The best way to fix it may be with me doing it. As I talk to Mesa Ridge I'm sure they will tell me it's Lipperts problem. I start the process tomorrow instead of doing nothing in Williamsburg. Will keep you posted. Have a good weekend. Pat The Old Sailor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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